Chapter 698

Jonathan had once bet Benny 300 thousand. Even when Benny swore up and down that Mike was his son and went so far as to get a DNA test, Jonathan just scoffed at the idea.

Jonathan thought he’d won that time, but in reality, he lost everything.

Benny froze for a few seconds, then blurted out, “What is wrong with you? Did something happen?”

Jonathan said calmly, “I have a son.”

Surprised, Benny’s voice shot up so loud Jonathan could hear him without even putting him on speakerphone.

“Wait, what son?” Benny pressed urgently. “Did Teresa have your kid?”

Seeing Benny’s reaction, Jonathan realized Benny didn’t know about Michael. A wave of relief washed over him. He’d thought Benny already knew.

Jonathan said, “Let’s talk when you get back.”

Benny blurted, “Seriously, man? What son? How old is he? Do I even know him? If you don’t tell me today, I’ll call Teresa myself. If you have a kid, it has to be hers.”

Jonathan’s thin lips curved into a faint smirk as he asked Benny, “How can you be so sure?”

“Alright, stop beating around the bush. Just tell me. How old is the kid? Wait, don’t tell me it’s that boy Mike. The one I did the DNA test on before? Is it him?”

Jonathan’s silence was all the confirmation Benny needed.

Benny’s conviction grew even stronger. He thought, ‘So it is that kid. No wonder Jonathan said he lost the bet.’

At that moment, Benny recalled the bet and knew he was right. His voice rose as he shouted, “See, Jonathan? That kid is yours. I always said he looked like you. Miriam must know too. I’m going to ask her now.”

After muttering to himself, Benny suddenly blurted out before Jonathan could speak, “If that kid is your son, how come my DNA test showed no blood relation between you two?”

Jonathan asked Benny, “Who did you have run that DNA test back then? Something doesn’t add up here.”

Benny racked his brain. Given his excellent memory and heightened sensitivity about that DNA test, he recalled going to Jonathan’s place to collect Jonathan’s toothbrush for the test.

Cheryl had been there at Jonathan’s place at that time. Jonathan’s mind raced. ‘Of course, it was Cheryl again!’

Jonathan said coldly, “I’m hanging up.”

Jonathan, drunk and filled with rage, had believed Cheryl forged the DNA report only once. Now, learning it happened a second time, he fumed, wondering how many times she had done this.

Cheryl burst into tears on the phone and shouted, “It’s not my fault!”

She sobbed and added, “That DNA test Benny did was because Jennifer made me follow him, and she was the one who faked the report.”

Chapter 695

“Jonathan, I swear I was just the errand girl. Since going to Lonisburg, I’ve barely seen Teresa. You can’t blame everything on me. That thing with Benny wasn’t my idea, Jennifer made me do it.”

Jonathan remained silent and then hung up the phone.

Back then, Jonathan had even helped Jennifer get promoted, because she was Teresa’s sister.

He even recalled a time when a patient caused trouble for Jennifer at the hospital. Donald had begged Jonathan for help. And Jonathan had helped.

Even though Teresa had lied to him, Jennifer was no better. He had barely interacted with her and always thought she was just cold, never imagining she could be so selfish and self-serving.

As Jonathan thought this, his eyes grew cold with hatred. He made a call.

“Contact the president of Nareigh General Hospital now,” Jonathan ordered sharply. “Tell him I’m filing a formal complaint against Dr. Jennifer Nelson for repeatedly forging DNA results. She lacks medical ethics and is unfit for her role or any promotion.”

“Yes, Mr. Lynn.”

Meanwhile, at Rosary Estates, Teresa had just finished the paperwork for her totaled car at the traffic police station and signed the necessary documents. With everything settled, she was ready to head home.

It was late at night when Teresa approached her apartment and spotted someone by her door.

Gary saw Teresa coming home by taxi and asked, “Why didn’t you drive? I’ve been waiting here forever. Your place has been dark this whole time.”

“What are you doing here?” Teresa asked, avoiding answering and turning toward the elevator.

Gary followed Teresa, knowing full well that Jonathan must have confronted her after he’d come clean about Michael.

“Did Jonathan give you a hard time?” Gary asked, still worried about the whole thing. He hadn’t been able to reach Teresa by phone, so he came over in person. After all, he was the one who had come clean about it.

Teresa said calmly, “Jonathan didn’t give me a hard time. Anyway, I don’t have to keep hiding Michael anymore.”

The elevator doors slid open. As they reached Teresa’s doorstep, Gary asked her, “Where is Mike?”

“Jonathan took him,” Teresa replied quietly.

“What?” Gary couldn’t help but notice Teresa’s pale, haggard face. He frowned, a pang of guilt washing over him.

“I’m going to talk to Jonathan now,” he said, “I’ll tell him Jennifer is pregnant, and you stayed quiet to protect her. She feared your confession about Mike would hurt her career. Jonathan will likely go easier on her since she’s expecting.”

Teresa said quietly, “She miscarried.”

“What?” Gary’s eyes tightened again as he pressed, “How is that possible? She told me last time she was pregnant, but hid it for fear it would affect her promotion to department head.”

“Why did she have a miscarriage?” Gary pressed.

Chapter 698

Gary had it all figured out. If he used Jennifer’s pregnancy as leverage to plead with Jonathan, he would let both Jennifer and Teresa off the hook. But now, things weren’t going that way.

Even though he was heartbroken by how vicious and selfish Jennifer had become after all their years as classmates, he couldn’t bring himself to be this ruthless.

Teresa shook her head wearily and continued, “I’ve already seen her. She’s recovering well. Thank you for your help, but I’d prefer you stayed out of it from now on.”

Gary let out a sigh, realizing he shouldn’t have meddled in their affairs.

“So, how did your talk with Jonathan about Mike go?”

Teresa said wearily, “I honestly don’t know.”

“What do you mean? Aren’t you two getting back together? You still have feelings for each other. Wouldn’t it be best for Mike if you did?” Gary’s voice was laced with urgency, even more anxious than the people involved.

Teresa shook her head and said wearily, “I suggested joint custody, but he didn’t give a clear answer. If it turns into a full custody battle, so be it. I’ll deal with it when the time comes. I’m ready to fight if I have to.”

Gary said with a helpless sigh, “Jonathan wouldn’t do that. He cares about his reputation, he loves Mike, and most of all, he’s not the kind of man who would fight you for custody.”